Thurman and Ryan have had eerily similar starts so far this year. Both dominated in their first starts on opening day, and struggled in their second starts of the season. So, it’s likely the right-handers will come out with a bit of extra motivation to improve on their most recent performances.

In his first start of the year on opening day against Camden, Thurman got the win by pitching 5 1/3 innings, giving up just two hits and one earned run while striking out two and walking one. In his last start on May 4 against Somerset, Thurman allowed four runs, three earned, on eight hits in five innings of work. Overall, the 32-year-old right-hander is 1-0 in two starts with a 3.49 ERA in 10.1 innings, with seven strikeouts and two walks.

Ryan was impressive as well in his opening day start against Long Island, giving up just one earned run on five hits in six innings. In his second start of the season on May 5 against the Road Warriors, though, Ryan struggled on the mound. He allowed seven earned runs on nine hits before being pulled in the fourth inning. Overall, the 27-year-old right-hander is 0-1 in two starts with a 7.72 ERA in 9.1 innings with 12 strikeouts and three walks.

DeSalvo will carry a streak of 7 2/3 scoreless innings into this game. The 30-year-old right-hander tossed 5 1/3 scoreless innings in his second start of the year on May 5 against Somerset, giving up just two hits while striking out six. DeSalvo pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings in relief on Saturday at Camden, allowing only two hits with a strikeout and a walk. Overall, DeSalvo has a 2.92 ERA in 12.1 innings of work, with eight strikeouts and five walks.

Like DeSalvo, Gonzalez will also be looking for his first win of 2011 when he takes the mound on Thursday. The 28-year-old left-hander is 0-2 in two starts with a 4.91 ERA. In his last start, against Long Island on Saturday, Gonzalez got the loss despite giving up just two earned runs on four hits in five innings of work.

Who’s hot:

—York’s Val Majewski. Through Sunday, the 29-year-old outfielder was first in the Atlantic League in RBIs (12), second in total hits (15), second in runs scored (nine), third in batting average (.469), and seventh in on-base percentage (.514).

—Along with Majewski, York’s Liu Rodriguez and Jason Botts. Through Sunday, Majewski (.469), Rodriguez (.409) and Botts (.355) were among the top ten players leading the Atlantic League in batting average.

—Bridgeport’s Adam Greenberg, Andres Perez, Joe Borchard, and Luis Lopez. Each of them are hitting .300 or better at the plate. Perez (.385) and Greenberg (.357) are hitting above .350. Borchard’s five RBIs is tied with Steve Moss for the team lead.

—York relievers Scott Rice and Ronnie Morales. In a combined 9 2/3 innings of relief, the duo has collected nine strikeouts, allowed just three hits, and has yet to give up a run.

Who’s cold:

—Bridgeport’s Luis Rodriguez. In six games, Rodriguez is 5-for-24 at the plate (.208) with three strikeouts.

—Bridgeport relievers Chris Rivera and Jose Rodriguez. Rivera has given up five earned runs and five hits in five innings of work, compiling a 9.00 ERA. Rodriguez has allowed five earned runs on six hits in four innings, compiling a 11.28 ERA.

—York reliever Jeremy Lewis. In his last appearance, against Camden on Saturday, Lewis surrendered three earned runs on six hits in one inning of work. Overall, Lewis is 2-0 in four innings of relief with an 11.25 ERA, having given up five earned runs on six hits.

About John

John Walk

John Walk graduated in 2010 from Penn State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a minor in Spanish. While at Penn State, he gained experience in newspaper, radio, and television reporting while covering nearly all sports, from high school to college.

He spent the first nine months of his career covering City Hall for The York Dispatch. He has worked in sports for The Dispatch since February 2011. Originally from Lancaster, John currently resides in Red Lion Borough with his wife, Samantha, and their Pug, Charlie. You can reach John by e-mail or by calling (717) 505-5406.